AM: Stressing the Point

Monday, March 27
Carl ran down the long hall, the 2/3 lines had problems. As he walked in Mr. R------, the older Haitian man was speaking. Carl waved at him down and took his seat. Mr. R------ was finishing his story about having his son taken away by Child Custody Services, the floor opened up to comment.

M------ raised his hand to speak. "That's how they break black families, they took away all four of my kids. Once the foster family gets a taste of of that CCS money that won't let go. They get $3,600.00 a month for taking my kids away!" M------ had slapped his daughter in public, he was reported to CS. He was charged with Domestic Violence and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, CS stepped in and took all his children away and placed them in foster care.

D----- shook his head "You know they wouldn't do that to a white family! You know how many times my momma knocked me up-side the head?"

I thought about that too. I've seen the back of my mothers hand so many times I know every piece of jewelry that she owns. With Ninja-like precision my mother could swat one of us with accuracey while driving.

Mr. R------ continued, "And my case was thrown out by the judge! Imagine that! That devil DA woman kept telling him 'He has an history your honor'. I call but the foster home but they don't tell my son I call. They lie and tell him I don't care about him!" His accent became thicker as the anger poured from his mouth. She said 'Your honor, he was locked up in Rikers!' She put me there! Liar devil woman." R--, the young man with dreads that sat next to me raised his hand "White people always do that to you, you see the way they look at us."

The topic went sallow, seems most of these guys had children taken away or given over to the other parent. Councilor L---- moderated the next topic and handed me a stapled stack of paper. "Carl, take this and read, you gotta participate with the group."

"Stress Relief Techniques... 1 Excercise releases tension and stress... 2 Deep breathing exercises: breath in through your nose slowly and deeply... 3 Massage Therapy..."

"I know where I want a massage!" said R--.

"4 Aromatherapy... (are we getting a field trip to Caswel and Massey? I thought) 5 Walking... 6 Have fun! It's not a dirty word. Play!... 7 Do something you like, shopping, dancing."

"Shhhhh. Who's got money for that s---?" someone muttered. "Hey, I'm just reading it, I didn't write it" I continued.

"8 Treat yourself to a new outfit or a new haircut." I picked up my head and L---- was looking at me confused. I shrugged my shoulders. Number 8 is probably either for the Angry Women's Group or the Angry Transgender Group. "9 Talk to someone, talking relieves stress... 10 Sleep more... 11 Eat right... 12 Take a multivitamin"

Councilor L---- signaled me to stop. "Anyone have any questions about this?" R-- responded, "I don't need a multivitamin, I need a job!" L---- yelled out "Number 25, sex, that's what I need, papa!" I turned to R-- and pointed at another item on the list "Number 27 Take a vacation? Where long Island? We're not allowed to leave the state." He laughed. That's the first time I'd seen his teeth. He has a nice teeth. "Number 20, smile more... see?" I pointed at my page and he laughed again.

The meeting came to an end. I patted Mr. R------ on the back and asked how he was doing. He said "Alright young man, I'm alright." I really hoped he was.